The Russians.. in Sudan

By: Mohammed Wadaa

Bogdanov: Russia considers that the current Sovereign Council represents legitimacy in Sudan
The two sides discussed political, economic and military cooperation
Russia realizes that its continued presence in Africa depends on Sudan remaining outside the umbrella of Western influence
The Russians’ strategy is to prevent others from obtaining all of Sudan, and to completely transform it into a Western colony, and thus they will not drown in an inch of water in the Red Sea
Western pressures exceeded all logic and selfishly wasted the interests of Sudan and its people
Sudan has the right, and even its duty, to seek its interests wherever they may be, with the exception of Israel,
The visit of the Russian President’s envoy to the Middle East and Africa, Mikhail Bogdanov, to Sudan came at exactly the right time, and perhaps its most important outcome was Bogdanov’s declaration of his country’s support for Sudan’s sovereignty and existing legitimacy and his rejection of foreign interference in its affairs and plans to tear it apart.
Bogdanov and his entourage from the Ministries of Defense and Minerals held – during their official visit, which extended for two days – separate meetings with the Chairman of the Sovereign Council, Abdul Fattah Al-Burhan, his deputy Malik Aqar, the Council member, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Shams Al-Din Kabbashi, the Acting Foreign Minister, Hussein Awad, and the Minister of Minerals. Mohammad Bashir Abu Nammu. The two sides discussed the exchange of political support, military and economic cooperation, and expanding Russian investment in mineral production, especially gold.
Bogdanov is the representative of the Russian President, and therefore this visit, at this level, achieved its goals for both sides. This does not diminish the excitement of speculation and analysis that the Russian base was present in the visit. Russian officials know that the Sudanese leadership, in accordance with the governing constitutional document, is not authorized to final ratify the agreement. Granting the naval base is a matter decided by the legislative authority.
It goes without saying that the Russian experts are fully aware that the war of the RSF militia, supported by the UAE, America, Britain, France and African countries, aims to seize all of Sudan, and then control its wealth and strategic location, in addition to the fact that interest in a military base on the Red Sea is an attempt to belittle. With the great threats facing Sudan, and the possibility of occupying it and turning it into a Western military base, what is the value of a military base? In the writer of these lines’ belief, the Russians’ strategy is based on preventing Sudan from falling under Western occupation or influence, and completely transforming it into a Western colony, to confront the presence of Russia in North, Central and West Africa. Russia realizes that its continued presence in Africa depends on Sudan remaining outside the umbrella of Western influence. It is natural that common interests are behind the rapprochement between the two countries, as the Sudanese leadership seeks military cooperation that enhances the combat status of the armed forces, particularly that the majority of its weapons, especially aircraft and tanks, are of Russian origin.
Therefore, raising the Wagner situation, and the intersections of Russian-Ukrainian relations in Sudan, cannot be approached or discussed in this fleeting visit, and without a doubt, the two sides realize the importance of resolving the issues with transparency and clarity that enhances trust between them, and whether these relations give way to strategic horizons. The two sides realize that developing relations does not happen only with good intentions, this matter requires making decisions based on sound planning and the political will of both parties.
I believe that the visit achieved its goals at this stage, and that Sudan and Russia are seriously considering developing relations in order to achieve common interests. Western pressures on Sudan have exceeded all logic and selfishly wasted Sudan’s interests in an excessive manner, threatening its survival as an independent, sovereign state, which is Sudan’s right, and even from its duty is to seek the interests of itspeople wherever they may be, except for Israel.
May 1, 2024